Imported food database launched

Thursday 3 April 2008

The Agency has launched the Guidance and Regulatory Advice on Import Legislation (GRAIL) database to help local authority officers enforce controls on food being commercially imported into the UK from non-EU countries.

Anyone can use the searchable database but it does not include advice on personal imports – this can be found at the link below.

The database provides up-to-date imported food legislation and guidance on products of non-animal origin, fish and fishery products from non-EU countries. The Agency has lead policy responsibility for the import of these products.

The database can also be used to search for current import conditions for a specified combination of product, country of origin and contaminant. In the search results, summary guidance is displayed with links to legislation and full guidance.

The system includes a comprehensive ‘A-Z’ list of food law enforcement community contacts, details of new content, a news section and links to useful websites.

GRAIL can be accessed via the link below. New users need to register and create a new account before logging in.